coral reef

noun

: a long line of coral that lies in warm, shallow water

Examples of coral reef in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Climate change driven by carbon emissions is bleaching vibrant coral reefs to dead, colorless hulks. Karen Zraick Karsten Moran, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2023 Dying coral Snorkeling the coral reefs off the Florida Keys in the 1960s and 1970s was like swimming through a kaleidoscope, with colorful algae living among roughly 30 coral species covering the reefs, home to a rich diversity of marine life. Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA TODAY, 17 Aug. 2023 This last approach could not only boost the ocean’s carbon-carrying capacity, but may help counter the acidification that is contributing to the destruction of coral reefs and other marine species. Michael Leitch, Scientific American, 12 Sep. 2023 Artist and educator Billie Rae Vinson will lead a sculpture workshop where participants create mesmerizing abstract coral reefs and marine life. Steven Vargas, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2023 Florida’s coral reefs provide an important buffer from storm surges and a home to thousands of species that are important to the local economy. Justine Calma, The Verge, 5 Sep. 2023 Anguilla, a tropical British territory, is known for its coral reefs and white sand beaches. Rachel Metz, Fortune, 1 Sep. 2023 Last month brought unprecedented temperatures worldwide, sparking heat waves, wildfires and mass coral reef die-offs. Margaret Osborne, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Aug. 2023 Such anomalously high ocean temperatures can have cascading consequences, such as massive coral reef bleaching events occurring in the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico, which the NOAA says may lead to significant mortality. Hayley Smith Los Angeles Times (tns), al, 15 Aug. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'coral reef.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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Cite this Entry

“Coral reef.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coral%20reef. Accessed 2 Oct. 2023.

Kids Definition

coral reef

noun
: a reef made up of corals, other organic substances, and limestone

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